Tag: champaign county

Bielert for IL 103

Brad Bielert taking on Carol Ammons for IL House of Representatives in District 103

by Vice Chair

After a long fight to get on the ballot this November, Brad Bielert is ready to take on Carol Ammons. The Champaign County Libertarian Party wholeheartedly endorse him for the position and stands ready to fight with him.

Brad was born and raised in Champaign and his family has lived here for 3 generations. As an auto mechanic, he has seen the difficulties facing the community: the lack of economic development, the over taxation, politicians treating people like serfs, and the abysmal social justice. He wants to change all that.

The fight to get on the ballot began with a petitioning. Marching door to door late into the evening to meet the signature requirement. It was no easy task after working long days under the hoods of cars, not to mention having to convince people to speak during a global pandemic.

Obtaining the required signatures, the victory was short lived, as opponents filed an objection to his signature counts. Objectors initially claimed there was a false address associated with one signature. When pressed on the fact that Brad obtained ~50% more signatures than the requirement, his adversaries changed tactics, attempting to argue that a pending case appealing a prior judicial reduction in signature granted to third parties in light of the pandemic invalidated the number.

On Friday August 21, the Illinois Board of Elections decided to reject the objection and ruled that Brad’s name be on the ballot this fall. He is the only opponent to Carol Ammons.

During an interview I asked him why he’s running.

“I want to see unity. People working together for the people. I don’t want to burden people with government control, but instill in them their right to individuality.”

Asked about his opponent he said:

“Unlike my opponent, I want to see legislation that represents all people. I want to give the people the freedom due to them while keeping them safe and out of harms way.”

He said that is why the four pillars of his campaign are:

  • Fair Maps
  • Lower Property Taxes
  • Making Springfield Work Again
  • Social Equality

Brad makes a strong case for libertarianism, and the Champaign County Libertarian Party to endorse him.

Please check out his website, follow him on Facebook, and donate to his campaign.

Champaign LP Calls for Curtailing City Emergency Powers

by Russ Clark

The following letter was submitted May 5th, 2020 in response to Champaign City Council’s proposal (and ultimate passage of) to extend the Emergency Order originally passed March 13th, 2020 to again implore restraint in government authority.

My name is Russ Clark and I am the chair of the Champaign County Libertarian Party.  Our members are concerned that another month has gone by without any changes to Ordinance 2020-022. I would hope council members are concerned as well.  It is time yet again for the Mayor and unelected city officials to be granted the power to impose a curfew, ban the sale of liquor, wine, beer, gasoline, firearms, and ammunition, as well as cut off a citizen’s utilities, ban entry or exit from the city, take possession and title of a citizen’s personal property without compensation.  The regular study session on April 28th was cancelled without discussion.  This would have provided the perfect opportunity to craft and amend this ordinance to provide for the safe operation of the city during this public health emergency.  

I ask yet again for the council tonight to vote down this ordinance extension and direct the city manager to write amendments striking the unconstitutional powers granted under it. It is not necessary for a municipal government to take powers not granted or authorized by either the Federal or State constitution.  There is no impending destruction of the city nor have our medical facilities been overrun with COVID-19 cases.  If the ordinance is not extended, the ordinance 2020-039 for overtime and other COVID-19 costs would need to be continued.  An agenda amendment could be added to approve funding to pay overtime costs for police, fire, and city employees if necessary.

The city has encouraged people to wear masks but it has not proposed nor passed any resolutions pressing the State of Illinois to reopen the economy.  Many citizens would happily wear a mask if it meant they could get a haircut, shop for clothing at Marketplace Mall, workout in a gym or play with their child at our playgrounds. Council has not requested for such a quid pro quo, at least publicly, but has deemed fit to seize unconstitutional powers to take from the people with only promises to never use it.

Leaving this ordinance unchanged will leave the door open for future councils and future mayors to overreach and take drastic unnecessary measures.  I would encourage any new emergency ordinance to have clear delineations for authority and allow council to amend it prior to implementation.  Routing bills through the city administration is perfectly acceptable for zoning amendments, not for the restriction of civil rights.  Council should be allowed to amend emergency ordinances at the emergency meeting, not wait for a study session which could be cancelled out-of-hand.

I, on behalf of the Libertarian Party, ask that this council sees fit to vote down this ordinance and request amendments so that a LAWFUL emergency order can be passed at the next city council meeting.

Russ Clark
Chair
Champaign County Libertarian Party